Serena sat alone in the huge bedroom. Everything around her was expensive and beautiful, but it didn't feel like home. It felt like a prison. The silence in the room was loud. She could still hear Liam's voice from last night, cold and angry.
"You don't belong here," he had said before walking away.
She wiped her eyes and picked up her phone. There was only one person she could talk to now — Clara, her childhood friend. Clara always listened.
Serena dialed her number. The call connected.
"Babe! How far now?" Clara's cheerful voice came through.
Serena managed a weak smile. "Clara…"
"Wait… Are you crying? What happened? Are they treating you well?"
"I don't even know how to explain it," Serena whispered. "This place is like a movie. I feel so lost."
Serena told Clara everything — how her mom forced her into the marriage, how cold Liam had been, how his mother acted nice but was clearly pretending.
Clara was silent for a while. Then she said, "Serena, just try to be strong. Your dad's surgery is happening soon, right?"
Serena nodded, wiping her tears. "Yes. The doctor said tomorrow. I'm glad about that. But I still can't forgive my mom. She sold me to a stranger like I was nothing."
Clara sighed. "I know. It's not fair. But maybe just hold on for your dad's sake. Focus on that for now."
"I'm trying, Clara. I really am."
They talked for a while. Serena felt a bit better, but her heart was still heavy. After the call, she laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Everything felt fake — her clothes, the jewelry on the table, even her reflection in the mirror.
She didn't recognize herself anymore.
Later that evening, Mrs. Isabella called her downstairs. Serena fixed her hair quickly and went down.
"Serena, your father's surgery has been fully paid for. The hospital just called me now," Isabella said with a smile.
Serena froze. Her heart skipped. "Really?"
"Yes. It's all covered. The best doctor is handling it."
Tears filled Serena's eyes. "Thank you so much, ma. Thank you…"
Isabella gave a small smile. "You're part of the family now. Make sure you don't disappoint me."
Serena bowed slightly and walked away, holding back tears. Her father was finally getting help. That was all that mattered. But why did it still feel like she was losing everything?
She went to the garden and sat on the small bench there. Just then, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
**"Gold digger."**
Her heart sank.
Another message came in.
**"You left me for a man with money? You're just like the rest of them."**
Serena's hands trembled. She knew that number.
Elliot.
She quickly dialed him. He picked up after a few rings.
"Elliot, it's not what you think—"
"Don't even start!" he shouted. "You married a billionaire, Serena! You think I don't read the news? You sold yourself!"
"No! I didn't— My mother forced me. My dad was dying—"
"Lies!" Elliot yelled. "You were never real. All that love stuff was fake. You're cheap, Serena. You disgust me."
Serena's breath caught. "Elliot, please… I loved you."
"Then why didn't you wait? Why didn't you fight? Oh wait, money was sweeter, right?"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"You didn't even say goodbye," he added coldly. "Don't ever call me again."
He ended the call.
Serena dropped the phone and held her chest. It felt like someone just tore her heart out. She cried silently, wishing she could go back and undo everything.
But it was too late.
Night came. Liam came home late again. Serena stood near the dining table, hoping maybe they could talk. Maybe he could see her pain.
He didn't even look at her.
He walked past her like she was invisible.
Serena couldn't hold it in anymore. "Liam, please… I know you hate me. But I didn't choose this marriage either."
He turned slowly, his eyes cold. "Then why are you here?"
"I did it for my father. He's sick. I had no choice."
Liam scoffed. "You had a choice. You could've said no."
"My mother—"
"I don't care," he snapped. "Just stay out of my way."
He turned and walked away again.
Serena stood there, shaking. She didn't want to cry again. But the tears came anyway.
She ran to her room, locked the door, and buried her face in the pillow.
She didn't know how much more she could take.
---
The next morning, something unexpected happened.
Serena was brushing her hair when Mrs. Isabella knocked and entered.
"You're going to the hospital today," she said.
Serena's eyes lit up. "My dad…?"
"He's going into surgery. I thought you might want to be there."
Serena jumped up. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
She dressed up quickly, her heart filled with mixed emotions — fear, hope, and pain.
As the driver drove her to the hospital, she stared out the window.
Everything was changing.
And she wasn't sure if it was for better or worse.
But she knew one thing for sure.
**She wasn't going to break. Not yet.**